Psalm 51 is traditionally seen as King David’s prayer for forgiveness after his adultery and murder. It's a moving confession of sin, repentance, and hope in God’s mercy. He begs to be cleansed of sin and praises God’s justice and holiness. He asks for forgiveness and a pure heart and steadfast spirit, so that, renewed, he may draw others to the way of righteousness.

We're all sinners, and some sin over and over again. Like a child reaching to his parents after a fall, we can raise our hand to God who will pull us up. God created us to stand upright. God’s forgiveness is the greatest sign of his mercy. It's beautiful to be forgiven, but you should also forgive! Through the prayers of Mary, Mother of Mercy, may we become convincing witnesses to the mercy that forgives our sins, creates in us a new heart, and enables us to proclaim God’s love.

Acts 3:1-10A man crippled from birth begged Peter and John for alms at the temple gate. Peter: “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ, walk.” Peter raised him up, and he stood, walked around, and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. People recognized him as the one who used to beg at the gate and were amazed.

Ps 105:1-4, 6-9"Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord." Make known his deeds. Sing praise. Serve him constantly. He is our God and remembers his covenant.

Lk 24:13-35While two disciples were going to Emmaus, Jesus drew near and walked with them, but they didn't recognize him. “What are you talking about?” / “Don't you know what happened to Jesus?...” / “How slow you are to believe!...” He interpreted the Scriptures, they urged “Stay,” and he did. At table he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them; their eyes were opened, they recognized him, and he vanished. “Our hearts were burning as he opened the Scriptures to us!” They returned to Jerusalem, found the Eleven and others saying, “The Lord has been raised!” The two recounted what had taken place and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Creighton: May the teachings of the Easter story stay with us; may we truly realize the sacrifice made for us, understand its impact, carry the lessons with us, and become more humble and forgiving....

One Bread, One Body: "Moving experiences": The healing of the 40-year-old man paralyzed from birth was a sign of the Resurrection. The disciples on the road to Emmaus were mentally and spiritually paralyzed. Jesus said they had "little sense" and were slow to believe, but soon their hearts burned and their eyes were opened; this movement was a sign and experience of the Resurrection. What bones need to rattle in my life? How am I paralyzed? To what movement am I called?

Passionist: What if there were no forgiveness of sins and we were forever stuck in our guilt? What if heaven were barred to us after Adam and Eve's sin? What if human suffering were in vain? What if life had no purpose? But because Christ died and rose, there is forgiveness, death doesn't have the last word, our suffering has tremendous meaning as his never-in-vain suffering, and our purpose is for Christ to live in us, work through us, manifesting himself through us. “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!” (Augustine)

DailyScripture.net: "Did not our hearts burn while he opened to us the Scriptures?" Jesus' death scattered his disciples and shattered their hopes and dreams. They saw the cross as defeat and didn't understand the empty tomb till the Lord appeared to them. Jesus chided the disciples on the road to Emmaus for their slowness to believe the scriptures about the Messiah; they didn't recognize him till he broke bread with them. "They were so disturbed when they saw him on the cross that they forgot his teaching and promises and didn't look for his resurrection.... Their eyes were obstructed, that they not realize Christ would die and rise again, and not recognize him until the breaking of the bread. Not that the Truth was misleading them, but they were unable to perceive the truth." (Augustine) When do I not recognize the Lord when he speaks to my heart? The Lord is ever ready to speak to us and give us understanding. Do you listen and let his word transform me?